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Will return of Malaysia’s scandal-ridden ex-DPM Zahid Hamidi boost Umno or leave it in tatters?
- The former deputy to disgraced ex-PM Najib Razak faces 87 corruption charges and told local media he was reassuming his party duties because Malays were being sidelined
- But Zahid’s return – signalling more race and religious rhetoric by the embattled party – could backfire
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The right-hand man of Najib Razak, Malaysia’s scandal-hit former leader, has returned to helm United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the party that governed the nation for six decades until last year’s watershed polls, and analysts are predicting the move could leave Umno in tatters.
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Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the former deputy prime minister, went on gardening leave last December from his position as party chief after he, like Najib, became ensnared in sweeping post-election corruption investigations.
But on Sunday, the veteran politician said he was returning to the role.
“I can no longer stand seeing Malays being sidelined. I can no longer stand seeing the people being lied to, being insulted, and being treated badly,” he was quoted as saying by local media. “So beginning today, I am officially resuming my duties as Umno president.”
The announcement comes just days before Zahid – who faces a total of 87 corruption charges – was due to stand his first criminal trial.
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